Australia call up Cahill, Schwarzer for Wales friendly

Australia coach Holger Osieck has called up English Premier League players Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer in an 18-man squad for their friendly against Wales next week.

Everton midfielder Cahill and veteran Fulham goalkeeper Schwarzer were rested for June friendlies against New Zealand and Serbia but have been recalled for the Aug. 10 match in Cardiff as the Socceroos look to build momentum for 2014 World Cup qualifiers starting next month.

Australia, 23rd in FIFA world rankings, play their first qualifier against Thailand on Sept. 2. They were also drawn to play Oman and Saudi Arabia in the third round of qualifying.

Osieck also named Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonald and South Korea-based defender Luke DeVere in the squad released on Tuesday for the Socceroos' first meeting against 112th-ranked Wales. Fourteen players from the squad for the June friendlies have been retained.

Australia, eliminated in the first round of the South Africa World Cup last year under former coach Pim Verbeek, have performed well under Osieck, who took the side to the final of the Asian Cup and a surprise 2-1 victory over Germany earlier this year.

Goalkeepers: Adam Federici (Reading), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)

Defenders: Lucas Neill (uncontracted), Michael Zullo (Utrecht), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow), Matthew Spiranovic (Urawa Reds), Luke DeVere (Gyeongnam)

Midfielders: Tim Cahill (Everton), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Neil Kilkenny (Bristol City), James Troisi (Kayserispor), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough).

Forwards: Robbie Kruse (Dusseldorf), Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough).